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Does Intercropping Have a Role in Modern Agriculture?

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Does Intercropping Have a Role in Modern Agriculture? doi:10.2489/jswc.64.2.55A CONSERVATION Does intercropping have a role in IN PRACTICE modern agriculture? Stephen Machado ntercropping—growing two or more crops at the same time on a single I field—is an ancient practice still used in much of the developing world. For example, in Africa, corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), or millet (Panicum and Pennisetum spp.) are grown with pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), or beans (Phaseolus spp.). Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is grown with yams (Dioscorea spp.) or cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). In the tropical Americas, maize (corn) is grown with beans and squash (Cucurbita spp.). In both Africa and Latin America, beans or peas (Pisum sativum L.) climb tall cornstalks while pumpkins or squash cover the ground below. In these coun- Wheat-pea intercrop at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, Oregon State tries, many farmers have limited access to University, Moro, Oregon. agricultural chemicals and equipment so prevalent in the developed world. Besides, varieties were developed and fertilized to tinue to increase, while their manufacture intercropping is much less risky in that if bring about the Green Revolution that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. one crop fails another or the others may could feed rapidly growing populations. Also, the lack of diversity in monoculture still be harvested. Global fertilizer use increased from 24.5 fosters weed problems, as well as increased Before the 1940s in the United States million Mg (27 million tn) in the late insect pressure. The latter problem is partly and Europe, growing more than one crop 1950s to 210.5 million Mg (197 million because of monoculture’s less diverse insect in the same field was common practice tn) in 2007–2008, according to Food and community that includes fewer or no pest (Kass 1978; Andersen 2005), again because Agricultural Organization data. Of this predators (Horwith 1985; Horrigan et al. there was less risk. But with mechaniza- composite fertilizer mix, 65% was nitro- 2002). In addition, potent insecticides that tion and the availability of relatively cheap gen, 19%, phosphorus, and 16% potassium. kill both pests and their natural enemies synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, mono- And worldwide demand for fertilizer is still are currently being used. US synthetic cropping—i.e., growing only one crop in rising, albeit at a slower rate due to a some- pesticide use increased 33-fold since a field at a time—became the economi- what increased nutrient use efficiency. 1945, but despite this substantial pesticide cally efficient way to go (Horwith 1985). But now, fertilizer shortages are cost and use, crop yields continue to be No longer was it necessary to grow a developing and costs are escalating. The threatened by weeds, insects, and disease. legume with a grain to provide nutrients composite fertilizer price increased 113% Reasons include built-up pesticide resis- needed by the latter. Under monocrop- between 2000 and 2007, led by gains in tance, outbreaks of secondary pests, and ping, synthetic fertilizer-intensive regime, nitrogen prices (Huang 2007). The US susceptibility in the plants (Brenner 1991). crop yields increased dramatically. US corn price of ammonia increased from $250 As these and other problems with mono- yields increased from 1.9 Mg ha–1 (30 bu Mg–1 ($227 tn–1) in 2000 to $474.4 Mg–1 culture farming become more apparent, ac–1) in the 1940s to 9.7 Mg ha–1 (154 bu ($523 tn–1) in 2007, while urea (the main “sustainability” is becoming a household ac–1) in 2008. As machines were developed solid US fertilizer form) changed from word, and interest in intercropping is for various single cash crops, intercropping $181.4 Mg–1 ($200 tn–1) to $410.9 Mg–1 growing as, possibly, part of the solution. became impractical. These new modern ($453 tn–1) (Huang 2007). Meanwhile, Already double cropping is being widely farming methods were also spread to parts environmental problems associated with practiced as an alternative to monoculture. of the developing world as high-yielding heavy fertilizer use are becoming well In the Midwest, soybeans are being rotated known—e.g., surface- and groundwater with corn. While soybean itself is a valu- Stephen Machado is an agronomist at the pollution, soil acidification, and ammonia able crop, it fixes nitrogen for the next Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, Oregon State University, Pendleton, Oregon. volatilization. And as synthetic fertilizer is a year’s corn crop. Similarly, across the nation petroleum-based product, prices will con- and beyond, grain crops are rotated with PROOF * NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION MARCH/APRIL 2009—vol. 64, no. 2 55A a legume, which may itself be a crop or it alters the quality of the other crop, mak- wheat farmers. That is, seeking to maxi- may be grown as a cover crop. However, in ing it a less attractive host for a predator or mize yield, these farmers figure the amount dryland regions of the Pacific Northwest, a parasite. For example, onions (Allium cepa of nitrogen to apply to meet the target most grain farmers prefer to stick with L.) are planted with carrots (Daucus carota yield. Generally, as is it certainly more grain, not being willing to give up their L.) as they mask the carrot smell for carrot convenient, they apply the precise amount cash crop for a year of legume without flies (Sullivan 2003). The trap hypothesis is before the crop is planted or at planting. good ways to market that crop. that one crop attracts pests that would oth- Ideally, they should apply some fertilizer at Intercropping has four general subcat- erwise have gone to what is being grown planting and then apply the remainder as egories. There is mixed intercropping, no as the principal crop. For weeds, a second topdress during spring based on the pre- distinct row arrangement; row intercrop- crop either provides a reduced area for cipitation outlook. However, actual yield ping, at least one crop is planted in rows; weeds to get a foothold or reduces weed depends on the amount of precipitation in strip intercropping, growing crops in strips biomass through competition or allelopa- that season. If all the fertilizer is applied at wide enough to separate them, yet nar- thy. One study showed that intercropping planting and if precipitation turns out to row enough to allow interaction between corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum be below average or even under drought them; and relay intercropping, growing bicolor [L.] Moench) with desmodium conditions, the crop has been over fertil- two or more crops during differing parts (Desmodium spp.), effectively controlled ized, and it uses up all available water, and of their life cycles. Whenever two crops are witchweed (Striga hermonthica Del.) (Khan dries out. Using intercropping, N-smart planted together they will interact either or et al. 2007); another showed that a cover cropping systems could be developed. The both in competition (for light, water, and crop of velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana alternative for these farmers would be to nutrients) and facilitation (Vandermeer [Bort] Merr.) reduced weed biomass by plant a legume and wheat in the same field. 1992). That is, they may have negative and 68% in corn (Caamal-Maldonado et al. The legume can then be killed at appropri- positive effects on each other. Of course, 2001). ate times to avoid too much competition intercropping works best when the posi- If intercropping is, indeed, experienc- with the primary crop. The goal would be tive effects are stronger than the negative ing a renaissance in response to problems to apply starter N to get the crops going ones. Intercropping success depends on a with monoculture, this should not be seen and then rely on the legume to make the good balance between competition and as going back to ancient peasant ways, but, “decisions” whether or not to add N to facilitation. Examples of strong facilita- rather, as adopting useful aspects of the the system; the “decisions” would be based tion include triticale (Triticosecale) that practice to modern agriculture. However, on available soil moisture. The process of provides a strong stem for the vetch (Vicia the methods described above will likely N fixation is energy consuming, and the spp.) vines, while vetch provides the nitro- find their best use in modern organic farm- legume will use the easily available N if gen for the triticale (Vandermeer 1992). ing. In fact, organic farming is a perfect fit too much is applied at planting, so the A second crop, whether serving as a cover for intercropping as fossil-fuel-based inputs proposed system will not work. Similarly crop or a windbreaker may increase soil and synthetic pesticides are not allowed. N fixation is sensitive to stress, and when water retention. A windbreaker alters Intercropping can also fit into conven- the legume senses drought the plant will the microclimate of the sheltered crop, tional cropping systems. Intercropping stop fixing N (Sinclair et al. 1987), thereby which could be very useful in the Pacific provides increased diversity, which facili- overfertilization is avoided. On the other Northwest, where gusty wind following tates better biological control of pests hand, if environmental conditions permit, rain would ordinarily evaporate the sparse and reduced soil erosion. Legumes inter- the legume can add as much N as possible water received. But, on the other hand, the cropped with cereals can provide not only to the system, presumably leading to high windbreaker crop may also compete with nitrogen, but also other minerals, soil cover, yields of the primary crop.
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